IntheKnowHouston

Below is text from the reconsideration of requirement request application. This is included in submitted materials to the Planning Commission for the proposed subdivision plat Heights Eats. The plat consists of 633 W 20th St and 637 W 20th St. (Sec. 42-47 and Sec. 42-81) Specific requirement or condition being sought: We are requesting a variance to reduce the building line to 5 feet along public right-of-way West 20th Street respectively. Chapter 42 Section: 152(a) Chapter 42 Reference: The portion of a lot or tract that is adjacent to a major thoroughfare shall have a building line requirement of 25 feet unless otherwise authorized by this chapter. If this request requires a variance or special exception, the applicant must comply with the Plat Submittal Requirements and provide a completed Variance Request Information Form or Special Exception Information Form. Statement of facts: We are requesting a reconsideration of requirements to allow a 5' building line along West 20th Street in lieu of a 25' building line along West 20th Street. The public pedestrian realm already exists and the road is at a sufficient width so no new dedication of right of way will be required. Also, majority of this road is single family residential and slow traffic so this would not cause any dangerous scenarios for pedestrians or the public. Link to the April 18 draft planning commission agenda: https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-08_DraftAgenda.pdf

Couldn't have said it better myself., @rechlin. It's disappointing Cityliving chose to delete all the great photos he shared. His dedication in documenting many of this city's new development and buildings were and still are invaluable. I hope he will continue to do so, even if he decides to publish his photos elsewhere (I know he'll see this because he still visits this forum several times almost every day, but chooses not to contribute as he did before.) However, Cityliving's constant deletions - which seem to come across as revenge for not receiving as much praise or likes as another user - are problematic for the reasons you described. I realize the revenge motive is speculation on my part. Still, it appears to be a pattern. He'll post something negative about another user's drone photos or not feeling appreciated. Afterwards, he goes on a mass deletion spree as if it's his way of punishing the entire forum. Furthermore, I agree with your position regarding "a big feature of this site is serving as a historic record of construction projects and their progress." Sure, many of us like visiting the site to post or view recent content relating to current project. But that's only one of this forum's driving forces. There are just as many people who visit this site to see developments from their planning stages to their construction phase, and the completed project. Some also find it interesting seeing what may have been planned for a property before or previous occupants. This is why older content, be it posts, PDF files, and photos, are as important as current content on this forum. I don't get why certain members of this site refuse to see the value in that (I'm saying this based off another topic on the forum where some complained there is no need for older content.) Lots of people use this forum for many reasons. From what I've observed, there are many who utilize this forum as a reference tool or an archive. I've come across countless social media posts and online forums sharing older content from this forum. The content is used to highlight what may have been built before, previous occupants, demolitions, construction phases, and so forth. Also, let's not forget, many of this city's journalists, bloggers, or those whose social media focuses on architecture, construction, transportation, and real estate (like WalkingHouston) constantly visit this forum. Many of them use current and past content in their research or report what has been discussed or shared here.

There is a proposed site plan for the forthcoming restaurant(s) planned for 633 W 20th St. This is included in materials submitted with the subdivision plat and variance request application. As mentioned, restaurateur Shawn Bermudez and business partner Matthew Pak are planning a restaurant on the property. The name of the business could be The Eatery. That's been speculated many times throughout this topic based on the trade name filing. However, the name is included on submitted design documents. I suppose we'll know for sure whenever the owners are ready to make an official announcement. Cisneros Design Studio is the architect of record for the project. Below are further details based on the provided site plan: The existing structure at 633 W 20th St will house the restaurant. There is also a proposed 2,316-square-foot structure addition near the alleyway. It is located behind the existing building at 633 W 20th St. It's possible this is the second restaurant or food & beverage business mentioned in the notes located in the plan review inspection report (noted here a few posts up). A 2,500-square-foot patio is proposed for a portion of the 637 W 20th St property. The property is next door to The Burger Joint at 2002 N Shepherd Dr. It appears the existing structure on the 637 W 20th property will be demolished to make way for the patio and additional parking. The site plan shows at least 16 parking spaces. It appears there may be at least 15 parking spaces on the 633 W 20th St parcel, next to proposed restaurant. At least 31 parking spaces could be located on the parking lot at 629 W 20th St. The property is adjacent to 633 W 20th St.

A proposed subdivision plat with variance request for 633 W 20th St and 637 W 20th St is on this week's planning commission's agenda. The name of the proposed subdivision plat is Heights Eats. Below is the text from the notice of variance letter sent to area residents: The Planning and Development Department has received a subdivision plat application with a variance request for a property located along W 20th Street, east of N Shepherd Drive, and west of Lawrence Street. ...DVJ Civil Engineering and Land Surveying, LLC, the applicant, has filed the request on behalf of the developer of the subject site. The applicant is requesting a variance for a reduced building line of 5’ along the public right-of-way of W 20th Street, a major thoroughfare. Link to the April 18 draft agenda: https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-08_DraftAgenda.pdf

Below is the proposed subdivision plat Heights Eats. This consists of the following parcels: 633 W 20th St 637 W 20th St The proposed plat is on the agenda for this week's planning commission meeting.

Existing and proposed west elevations for 2003 Union St. The diagrams are included in the off-site parking variance request application.

Existing and proposed east elevations for 2003 Union St. The diagrams are included in the off-site parking variance request application.

Existing and proposed north elevations for 2003 Union St. The diagrams are included in the off-site parking variance request application.

2003 Union St site plan. This is included in the off-site parking variance request application.

A land survey of land survey included in the off-site parking variance request application.

Below is text regarding the off-street parking variance request for 2003 Union St. The text is from the application submitted to the Planning Commission. Summary of Variance Conditions The owner proposes to implement the previously-approved HAHC COA for the restoration and use of the empty building in the Old Sixth Ward Historic District. The building fronts the Washington corridor and is near other popular hospitality destinations. The proposed site alterations contains 16 parking spaces, but current potential tenants will require an additional 2 spaces, which is not possible due to the historic nature of the building configuration. Directly across the street 14 metered spaces exist on Union Street but are available on a first-come basis so are not reserved. The building has previously housed a neighborhood-styled restaurant tenant, GRAFFITI’s, but is currently empty. (1a) Strict application of the requirements of this article would make a project infeasible due to the existence of unusual physical characteristics that affect the property in question or would create an impractical development or one otherwise contrary to sound policy; The requirement of the adding one additional off-street parking spaces would not be possible without demolishing a portion of the building, which would be difficult to get approved since this is a contributing building and the owner is intending a historic renovation of the structure in accordance with a previously-approved COA. The owner intends to preserve the historic nature of the building, in accordance with the approved COA, and to create a viable economic use for the building. Renovation of the building will enhance and preserve the consistency of the historic district building stock and address current vagrancy and police visits to the property for homelessness/graffiti issues. (3) The intent of this article is preserved; The intent of the ordinance is to provide sufficient off-street parking for commercial properties. The proposed project is designed to attract and serve historic district residents walking or biking to the site. Both the on-site and adjacent street parking provide sufficient parking for the proposed development and its operation (4) The parking provided will be sufficient to serve the use for which it is intended; Chapter 26 goals do not acknowledge the rapid and tangible demographic, planning and future trends of the Old Sixth Ward district. It is substantially more pedestrian-oriented with this corridor getting substantial business support by the adjacent neighborhood which recognizes the benefit of rehabilitating the historic buildings of the district. (5) The granting of such a variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare; and The variance will support the further enhancement of the streetscape by reducing the traffic congestion associated with more vehicular traffic and parking areas. The proposed neighborhood- scaled development provides a destination for area residents wanting to patronize a street—oriented café in their neighborhood. https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-08_DraftAgenda.pdf

An off-street parking variance request for 2003 Union St is on this week's planning commission's agenda. According to the application, the purpose of the variance request "is to reduce the parking requirement amount from 18 parking spaces to 16 parking spaces for a restaurant remodel." The existing structure is 5,000 sf. Based on the application, a 3,400 sf restaurant buildout is proposed. Cisneros Design Studio is the applicant listed on the variance form. Link to the April 18 draft agenda: https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-08_DraftAgenda.pdf

For reference, 2003 Union St was the former home of Grafittis at Union St, a restaurant best known for its burgers. There was topic for this, but it removed in that mass deletion a few years back. The building has been available for lease off and on since the restaurant's closure in 2017. I'm hopeful the building's owner will find a tenant who can revive this spot. I think it would be a great fit for a barbecue restaurant or a family-friendly dining establishment.

Hmm... The topic's title was initially titled 2003 Union St. I was online when Hindesky posted it. Somehow within seconds of this topic being created, a certain someone took it upon themselves to change the title. I wonder who? I've also noticed for some time now, immediately after Hindesky creates a topic (this goes for a few other posters), a certain someone changes the title for nearly every one of his topics. It's like clockwork. I'm not the only one who's noticed this. This moderator modifies everyone's topics or merges them with unrelated topics when it's not warranted. There are others here who take issue with this moderator's actions, including Hindesky. So, on behalf of Hindesky (who's too nice to publicly voice his displeasure) and some of the other members who've complained privately about Highrise Tower's incessant need to modify the topics we contribute to this forum: please, stop it.

Instead of HoneySuckle Garden & Bar, the name has changed to The Mood Room. The Mood Room is a bar opening in Ironworks. It's located at 711 Milby St, Suite 39. According to their Instagram bio, the bar aims to open either this spring or summer. https://instagram.com/themoodroomhouston

According to the draft agenda for this week's planning commission meeting, The Houston Planning Commission is approving the request for an extension of approval for subdivision plat Parker Hobby. The plat consists of the following parcels: 2722 White Oak Dr 2714 White Oak Dr 2718 White Oak Dr 2706 White Oak Dr / 615 Studemont St This is part of the collection of properties for either a proposed mixed-used or residential development. The former Fitzgerald's venue was located on the 2706 White Oak Dr parcel. https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-08_DraftAgenda.pdf

The proposed Lexington Place subdivision plat received preliminary approval at the April 4 meeting. The plat is subject to the Houston Planning Commission's approval on the following conditions: 047. Make minor corrections and additions as indicated on the marked file copy HPW-OCE- Drainage and Utility: If tract size more than 15000SF and less than 1 acre, total impervious area within tract > 9750 SF, Detention is required. No building is allowed within any public utility easement. 047.2. This is a preliminary approval only; a final plat must be approved prior to recordation.

An occupancy plumbing permit was purchased Friday for 3720 Raymond St. Details from the permit: Use: Occupancy Report / bar / 2,279 sf / 2000 Code A bar named Good God, Nadine's is planned here. It's replacing Darwin's Pub at 33 Waugh Dr. The bar is new food & beverage concept by local urban farm Verdegreens.

A commercial plumbing permit was purchased Friday for 2727 Minimax St. The permit pertains to Campanile on Minimax. It's a Houston Housing Authority mixed-income apartment development going up soon.

A photo of the coming soon banner announcing Via 313's impending arrival in the Heights. I saw this photo in my Instagram feed. The photo also shows Main Squeeze Juice Co. at 1541 N Shepherd Dr, Suite 2000. Main Squeeze Juice Co. and Via 313 are located in phase two of the Market at Houston Heights. Via 313 is an Austin-based pizzeria known for its Detroit-style pies. The restaurant will be located at 1541 North Shepherd Dr, Suite 1000. It's leasing the unit initially leased to The Crack Shack, a chicken-centric restaurant chain. Additionally, there is a Google Maps listing for Via 313's forthcoming Heights outpost.

@Amlaham @kennyc05 yes, suites 200 and 300 which were occupied by 24 Hours Fitness will become Club Studio. I noted this back in January several posts up. Fifth Corner uploaded the Mix @ Midtown site plan sometime in late 2023 or in January. Included in the site plan is Club Studio: 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿

A plan review permit was purchased yesterday for 2116 Bissonnet. Details from the permit: Use: 3,805 sf office remodel 1-2-5-b-b '15IBC FCC Group : Non-residential alteration

A was purchased yesterday for 1117 1/2 Franklin St. The property is located on the 1117 Franklin St parcel. Details from the permit: Use: civil site grading and R.O.W. improvement

Based on the architectural barriers project and limited liability company filings, Barbacana is a food and beverage concept from chef David Hernandez. Hernandez has helmed the kitchen of several Houston restaurants. I'm unsure where he worked last, but I recall he lead the kitchen at George's in West U.

Following last week's architectural barriers project filing for 907 Franklin St, a plan reviewing fee permit was purchased yesterday. Details from the permit: Use: Remodel; restaurant FCC Group: Non-residential alteration As mentioned previously, a business named Barbacana is leasing the space. 907 Franklin St is located on the ground level of Bayou Lofts. Bayou Lofts is located at 915 Franklin St. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/topic/31454-downtown-restaurant-and-bar-market/?do=findComment&comment=700300